SERVICE ABOVE SELF


FEBRUARY 2021 : ISSUE 142


O


ur gardener member Ewen Allan has sent us some seasonal tips for work that can be done outside


over the next couple of months while we are all still in ‘Lockdown’. • January and up to mid February is the best time to be looking at pruning and thinning of most trees and a varied range of shrubs.


• Buddleias and Fuchsias can be pruned or cut back hard at this time and will quickly bounce back in the spring with a good show of flowers.


• The main rule of thumb with most f lowering shrubs is to prune immediately after they flower, as next year’s flowers will come on this year’s growth.


• Forsythia and most Spireas flower April - June, therefore do not prune now, as you will be removing the flowering buds for this year.


back hard to help produce fresh healthier growth. Philadelphus is a typical example, where you need to remove one third to the ground every year to help keep the shrub fresh and contained. This can be done at this time.


• With the exception of Plum, this is the time to prune most fruit trees, if done on a regular basis it is fairly straight forward as you only need to remove the new growth. However, as mentioned before, there are times when you need to thin the crown to let air flow though and removing branches that are rubbing - both of these actions will help to stop disease.


• Most climbers can pruned at this time, especially those on trellises and pergolas. Rambling roses can be pruned back and tied in where necessary.


• Where shrubs do not produce flowers, mainly evergreens, these can be pruned at any time really, but it is best to do this sort of work just now, when there is less to do in the garden. Laurel , Phot ina and Griselinia are typical examples.


Hydrangea Photina


• Hydrangeas can be thinned now, but normally you would not remove the dead heads until after the risk of frosts are past as they protect the next flowering bud.


• Hydrangea Petiolaris (climber) once established, can be pruned hard at this time, and it will still flower.


• There does come a time when shrubs need to be thinned and cut


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Hope this is of some help to you all. If you follow these tips your plants and gardens will look a picture in the months ahead and you will benefit from working out here. Look out for more tips from Ewen later in the year.


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